January 18 – April 2, 2012
The National Art Center, Tokyo
Special Exhibition Gallery 2E
Closed on Tuesdays (except for March 20, 2012), and March 21
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 (10:00–20:00 on Fridays)*Open until 22:00 on Saturday, March 24, 2012 (Roppongi Art Night 2012)*Admission up to 30 minutes before closing

Organizer: The National Art Center, Tokyo
WORK 1536, 2003 | Acrylic, cotton cloth on canvas

Outline of the Exhibition
Recognized for his artistic talents at a young age, NODA Hiroji (born in 1952) became the youngest artist to hold a solo exhibition at Minami Gallery in 1977, the year after he had graduated from Tama Art University. In the ’80s, however, NODA
embarked on a variety of explorations in an effort to discover new possibilities in painting. In this exhibition, we survey theartist’s over 30-year career with 140 works that have emerged from his continually evolving approach, and examine the effect that NODA’s experiments have had on the Japanese art scene.
NODA’s exploration of the essence of painting began with box-shaped forms that were in effect a kind of relief. The artist
continued to develop this approach in the mid-’80s, creating a unique painting style in which he covered the support medium with a sack-like fabric. Then in the ’90s, NODA added further depth to his work by sewing, folding back, and layered thecanvas. But around 2000, he gradually turned to a flat foundation, and transformed the picture plane with the freewheeling
depiction of unusual images. Finally, in recent years, NODA’s has created series based on specific themes, and focused on
combinations of works while also placing greater emphasis on the manner in which they are displayed.
NODA has remained actively engaged in showing his work, but there has rarely been an opportunity to survey his entire
career, from the early period to the present. We hope that this exhibition will provide greater insight into how NODA has developed his artistic philosophy as well as shedding light on how his ideas are transformed into actual works. And in addition
to tracing the trajectory of this outstanding artist’s career, we hope to encourage reflection on future directions in painting.

Exhibition Highlights
First Comprehensive Exhibition of the Artist’s Work in Tokyo
Although NODA has actively shown his work from the late ’70s to the present, there has not been a comprehensive exhibition that surveyed the breadth of his career since his 1995 solo show at the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama. By including the work he has made in the interim, this exhibition sets out to examine the entire 30-year span of NODA’s career, fromhis early works to the present.
Important Works from throughout the Artist’s Career
Since being shown at Gallery White Art, one of NODA’s most notable early works, Work 179 (1983), has been on permanent
display in the second-floor lobby of the Gobo Citizens’ Culture Hall (located in the artist’s hometown). Along with this painting, we present a wide range of NODA’s works including Work 1316 (2000, Niigata City Art Museum) and a new work created specially for this exhibition, Work 1766.
Displays of Paintings with Related Drawings and Video Footage of the Artist at Work
In order to better understand the production process that underlies NODA’s work, we present the artist’s paintings alongside never-before-seen drawings. In addition, we will screen a video depicting NODA at work on a new painting to provide agraphic depiction of this process.
Collaborations with the Sculptor OKAMOTO Atsuo
Although NODA has primarily concentrated on planar works, he has also engaged in collaborations with the sculptor
OKAMOTO Atsuo (born in 1951) on three occasions in 1996, 2000, and 2004. The artists were subsequently invited to show
their work at the 21st Exhibition of Contemporary Japanese Sculpture, where they were awarded the Mainichi Newspapers
Prize (3rd Place). In a special display of these close collaborations with OKAMOTO, we present aspects of NODA’s work thatdiffer from his individual efforts.
A Rich and Comprehensive Catalogue
Along with the 140 works on display, the exhibition catalogue will include color plates of NODA’s drawings and collaborations with OKAMOTO. And in addition to a text that provides a broad overview of the artist’s career from 1981 to 2011, thebook will include excerpts from important articles from the past. The publication will serve as an excellent handbook outlining NODA’s career and fostering a deeper understanding of his work.
A Variety of Related Events
In addition to a talk by the artist himself, discussions between NODA and FUKUNAGA Osamu, who has followed his work
since the artist was in his 20s, and SANDA Haruo, a journalist who has written about the artist, are planned. Their words
should provide an important key to understanding the current state of contemporary art. Workshops conducted by NODA
and the contemporary artists KAIHATSU Yoshiaki and TOMITA Natsumi are also scheduled.

PART1

1980s – Discovering New Possibilities in Painting(app. 30 works)

NODA’s first notable approach involved box-shaped forms that created a kindof relief. He inserted a variety of materials, such as wood, fabric, bamboo, andwire, into the box-shaped support medium. This style was inspired by the artist’sinterest in the manner in which a structure gives rise to a painting, and his search
for a direct means of inquiry into planar expression. In the mid-’80s, NODA began
using sack-like pieces of canvas to cover the support medium and nailing pieces ofwood to it or making grooves in it. This development can be seen as the germination of NODA’s current style.

WORK 147, 1982 | Acrylic, cotton cloth, paper, board on woodPARTWORK 299, 1987 | Acrylic, wood on canvas
coll. The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama

21990s – Establishing and Developing a New Style(app. 40 works)

In the ‘90s, the surfaces in NODA’s picture planes grew flatter, and the multilayered structure and images that were characteristic of his work were created bysewing, folding back, and overlapping the canvas. At the same time, NODA began
experimenting with a variety of shapes, color combinations, and textures. The
diverse developments that emerged during this period expanded NODA’s range,
and many of the artist’s notable works that are housed in museum collections
around the country stem from this period.

WORK 639, 1991 | Acrylic, cotton cloth, wood on canvas

WORK 580, 1990 | Acrylic, wood on canvas

PART32000s – Searching for Further Potentials(app. 70 works)

Having gained a firm foothold in the Japanese art scene, NODA’s developed
his work further in the late ‘90s as the act of painting led to a new phase in hiscareer. The foundation for his paintings, which had been created through thelayering of canvas, was gradually flattened out and the picture plane came tocontain organic forms made with free-spirited brushstrokes. It was also aroundthis time that NODA was awarded the Education Minister’s Artist Encouragement
Prize for New Artists. Moreover, each new display of NODA’s paintings was basedon a certain theme, and his work came to be tinged with a monumental qualitythat stemmed from a focus on combinations of paintings, and a greater emphasison the manner in which his work was displayed.

WORK 1422, 2001 | Acrylic, cotton cloth on canvas

WORK 1666, 2006 | Acrylic, cotton cloth on canvas

WORK 1316, 2000 | Acrylic, cotton cloth on canvas | coll. Niigata City Art Museum*The exhibition will also include the artist’s 60 drawings, and 17 threedimensional works made in collaboration with the sculptor OKAMOTO
Atsuo.

Collaboration with OKAMOTO Atsuo
Collaboration 1996 O&N-I (left), 1996 | coll. Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art
Collaboration 1996 O&N-II (right), 1996 | coll. Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art

Photo: OKAMOTO Atsuo

Related Events (Tentative Schedule)■Lectures and Artist Talk

1. Sat., January 21: “My Work”: NODA Hiroji
2. Sat., February 4: “Minami Gallery and NODA Hiroji”: HAYASHI Makito(Facility Manager, Administative Department, Mori Art Museum)

3. Fri., March 2: Discussion between NODA Hiroji and FUKUNAGA Osamu(Deputy Director of The National Art Center, Tokyo / Organizer of thisexhibition)

4. Sat., March 17: “Art Criticism and NODA Hiroji”: SANDA Haruo (ArtJournalist)
Time: 1., 2., and 4.: 14:00-15:30; 3. 18:30-19:30
Venue: 3F Auditorium, The National Art Center, Tokyo (limited to 250; first-come, firstserved)
Admission free with exhibition ticket■Workshops

Sat., February. 18: Instructors: TOMITA Natsumi and NODA Hiroji
Sat., March 24: Instructors: KAIHATSU Yoshiaki and NODA Hiroji
Prior registration required* All events are subject to changes in time and content. For details and the latest
information on related events, see the center website: http://www.nact.jp/Admission
General Tickets
Advance Tickets
Group Tickets

Adults¥1,000¥800¥800College Students
¥500
¥300
¥300

* Admission is free for high school students and those under 18, and for those withphysical disability certificates and one accompanying person.
* Free admission on January 21 (Sat.) for the 5th anniversary – The National Art Center,Tokyo and March 24 (Sat.) in conjunction with “Roppongi Art Night 2012”.
* Group tickets are applicable to 20 or more people and available only at the venue.
* Group rates will be apply to those with tickets or ticket stubs of special exhibition held
concurrently at The National Art Center, Tokyo, Suntory Museum of Art and Mori Art
Museum.
* General and advance tickets may also be purchased through Ticket Pia (P code: 764585) and Lawson Ticket (L code: 37283).
* The advance tickets are sold from Oct. 19, 2011 until January 17, 2012. (until January16, 2012 at the venue)* For details and the latest information on related events, see the center website:
http://www.nact.jp/■ For inquiries or more information, please contact:

Ms. Takizawa, Ms. Ishimatsu, or Ms. Kubota
Public Relations Division
The National Art Center, Tokyo
Tel: (81) 3-6812-9925, Fax: (81) 3-3405-2532
E-mail: pr@nact.jp

Roppongi 7-22-2, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558, Japan
TEL: (81) 3-5777-8600 (Hellodial)
URL: http://www.nact.jp/Access:Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Nogizaka Station, Exit 6 is directly linked to the CenterTokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Roppongi Station, 5-minute walk from Exit 4aToei Oedo Subway Line, Roppongi Station, 4-minute walk from Exit 7

Profile: NODA Hiroji
1952: Born in Gobo, Wakayama
1976: Graduated from Tama Art University, Departmentof Painting, Oil Painting Course
1988-1993: Worked as a part-time lecturer at Tama Art
University, Department of Painting, Oil Painting
Course1990: Awarded the Wakayama Prefecture Cultural
Encouragement Prize
1999-2004: Worked as a part-time lecturer at Tohoku
University of Art and Design, Department of FineArts, Oil Painting
2001: Awarded the 51st Education Minister’s Art
Encouragement Prize for New Artists
2001: Awarded the Gobo City Culture Prize
2003: Became a professor at Tama Art University,
Department of Painting, Oil Painting Course
2005: Awarded the Mainichi Newspapers Prize at the 21stExhibition of Contemporary Japanese Sculpture (forhis collaboration with OKAMOTO Atsuo)
Principal Exhibitions
1977: “Hiroji NODA”, Minami Gallery (Tokyo)
1983: “Hiroji NODA”, Gallery White Art (Tokyo)
1985: “Hiroji NODA”, Galerie Tokyo Humanité (the artist
has continued to show his work at this gallery)
1987: “The 18th Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibition(Themed Division): Views of Contemporary
Painting – Plane and Space”, Tokyo Metropolitan
Art Museum; Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art;
Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art; The Miyagi
Museum of Art
1988: “A Current of Contemporary Art in Japan – PaintingPart 2”, The Museum of Modern Art, Toyama
1995: “Hiroji NODA – Searching for Original Landscapesin Painting”, The Museum of Modern Art,Wakayama

NODA Hiroji 1981-2011: List of Image Data for Press Use
We are pleased to offer a number of images of the works on display to help promote the exhibition. If you would like toreceive one (or more), please fill out the attached form and return it to us by fax (e-mail requests will also be honored).

《WORK 147》
1982年
126.0×198.0×10.0 cm《WORK 505》
1988 年
259.1×181.8 cm

WORK 1471982
126.0 ×198.0 ×10.0 cm

WORK 505

1988
259.1×181.8 cm
和歌山県立近代美術館蔵 The Museum of Modern
Art, Wakayama《WORK 794》
1993年
181.8×259.1 cm

WORK 794
1993
181.8 × 259.1 cm《WORK 214》
1984 年
166.0×116.0×10.0 cm

WORK 2141984
166.0 ×116.0 ×10.0 cm
和歌山県立近代美術館蔵 The Museum of Modern
Art, Wakayama《WORK 580》
1990 年
193.9×130.3 cm
個人蔵《WORK 996》
1995 年
130.3×162.1 cm

WORK 580
1990
193.9 ×130.3 cm
Private collection

個人蔵
写真提供：東京オペラ
シティアートギャラリー、
撮影：齊藤 新《WORK 299》
1987年
227.3×181.8 cm

WORK 299

1987
227.3 ×181.8 cm
和歌山県立近代美術館蔵 The Museum of Modern
Art, Wakayama《WORK 639》
1991年
130.3×193.9 cm

1991
130.3 ×193.9 cm《WORK 1068》
1997年
227.3×162.1 cm

1997
227.3 ×162.1 cm

WORK 639

WORK 9961995
130.3 × 162.1 cm
Private collection
Photo Courtesy: Tokyo
Opera City Art Gallery,
Photo: SAITO Arata

WORK 1068

NODA Hiroji 1981-2011: List of Image Data for Press Use《WORK 1316》
2000 年
227.3×687.8 cm

WORK 1316《WORK 1422》
2001年
227.3×545.4 cm

WORK 1422

新潟市美術館蔵

2000
227.3 × 687.8 cmNiigata City Art Museum《WORK 1536》
2003年
181.8×259.1 cm

WORK 1536
2003
181.8 × 259.1 cm

2001
227.3 × 545.4 cm《WORK 1666》
2006 年
227.3×162.1 cm《WORK 1620》～《WORK 1625》 WORK 1620 – WORK 1625
2004 年
2004
116.7×436.2 cm（6点1組）
116.7 × 436.2 cm (6 pieces)

WORK 1666
2006
227.3 ×162.1 cm

岡本敦生、野田裕示《Collaboration 1996
（左）O&N-I》《Collaboration 1996
（右）O&N-II》
1996 年
83.0×200.0×54.0 cm /76.0×200.0×52.0 cm
愛知県美術館蔵
撮影：岡本敦生

OKAMOTO Atsuo,
NODA Hiroji
Collaboration 1996
O&N-I (left)
Collaboration 1996O&N-II (right)
1996
83.0 × 200.0 × 54.0 cm /76.0 × 200.0 × 52.0 cm
Aichi Prefectural Museumof Art
Photo: OKAMOTO Atsuo

NODA Hiroji 1981-2011

Application Form for Image Data and Ticket Giveaway for Press Use

Public Relations Division, The National Art Center, Tokyo
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When making use of photographs, we kindly ask that you observe the following guidelines:
1. Photos of the art works are intended only for the promotion of the exhibition. Please do not use them after the exhibition has ended.
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3. Please do not trim or superimpose text on the photos.
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5. After the article is published, please submit a copy of your article to us. In addition, we ask that the editorial office of your publication oversee theissuing of giveaway tickets after you receive them in the mail.

For inquiries or more information, please contact:
Ms. Takizawa, Ms. Ishimatsu, or Ms. Kubota
Public Relations Division, The National Art Center, Tokyo
Te: 03-6812-9925, Fax: 03-3405-2532, E-mail: pr@nact.jp